Method for manufacturing yarn from natural and chemical fibers and a device for carrying out the method

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing yarn otherwise than by means of a spindle from natural and synthetic fibers pneumatically by means of an airstream whirling in one plane. This air is drawn by suction into a spinning chamber without any rotational mechanically driven elements by a system of air guide rings located in the walls of the spinning chamber.

llite 5t ltizwiclsi et a1.

es at I 191 Dec.3,'1974 1 1 METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING YARN FROM NATURAL AND CHEMICAL FIBERS AND A DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD [73] Assigneei Instytut Wlokiennictwa, Lodz,

Poland v [22] Filed: Sept. 13, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 179,898

[52] US. Cl 57/58.95, 57/5, 57/160 [51] llnt. Cl .Q DOlh 1/12 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,911,783 11/1959 Gotzfried 57/58.95

2,926,483 3/1960 Keeler et a1. 57/58.95 2,928,228 3/1960 Gotzfricd 57/58.89 3,110,150 11/1963 Kyame et al..... 57/58.89 3,577,720 5/1971 Zax et a1 57/58.89

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 825,776 12/1959 Great Britain 57/58.89 880,239 10/1961 Great Britain....... 57/58.89

1,115,163 10/1961 Germany l 57/58.89 1,146,792 4/1963 Germany 57/58.89

Primary Examiner-John W. Huckert Assistant ExaminerCharles Gorenstein Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Karl F, Ross; Herbert Dubno 5 7] ABSTRACT The invention relates to a method of manufacturing yarn otherwise than by means of a spindle from natural and synthetic fibers pneumatically by means of an airstream whirling in one plane. This air is drawn by suction into a spinning chamber without any rotational mechanically driven elements by a system of air guide rings located in the walls of the spinning chamber.

14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures I I I l V, L l

- PATENTELEEB 31914 7 3.8513155 SHEEI EM 7 FIG. 4.

PATENTE-UEEE mm sum 1; or 1 FIG. 6

PATENTEL BEE 31974 sum 5 nr 7 FIG.7

- l v METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING YARN FROM NATURAL AND CHEMICAL FIBERS AND A DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD The objects of the invention are an improved method of manufacturing yarn from natural and synthetic fibers by means of a stationary air vortex and a device for implementation of this method.

In addition to conventional spinningon a variety of various spinning frames, there are known a number of new methods for manufacturing yarn otherwise than by means of a spindle, and these are classed as: pneumomechanical, pneumatic, electrostatical and hydraulic.

In the pneumo-mechanical spinning system, the formation and twisting of yarn are effected in a mechanically rotating unit and only feeding of the rotating unit with fiber is done pneumatically by means of an airstream.

In the pneumatic spinning system yarn is formed and twisted by rolling it against the inner wall of a spinning chamber, in spirally whirling airstream, along the chamber axis. Air in the spinning chamber whirls spirally in the direction of. the suction vacuum source. Fiber fed into the spinning chamber is transported spirally by the whirling airstream. when a piece of yarn is introduced into the spinning chamber it rolls against the inner wall of the chamber and assumes aspiral form of a differentpitch from that of the fiber spiral. At the intersections of the yarn and fibre spirals a number of loose fibres are attached tothe yarn. The fibers which are not intercepted by with the spirally gyrating yarn are not twisted intoit and are'rejected from of the spinning chamber as process waste.

The drawbacks of the pneumo-mechanical system are a relatively low spinning rate, difficult construction of the apparatus andits high initial cost especially with to the rotor bearings and the need for quality feed material.

The disadvantages of the pneumatic system are a low output and high percentage ofprocess waste. The latter fact has required installation of additional apparatus for removing the process waste.

Due to unsolved technical and technological problems the hydraulic and electrostatical systems are still in a laboratory stage, and it is hardly possible to consider their industrial application.

The present invention provides a method for the spindleless production of yarn that is unimpeded by the limitations and imperfections of the heretofore known methods, and a device for carrying out this method.

The chief merits of the present invention are the practically unlimited speed of spinning and the complete elimination of the process waste and yarn breakage which in the earlier methods is associated with the unsatisfactory quality of the feed fiber. Another important advantage of this invention is that the device for producing the yarn has a simple and uncomplicated construction without any mechanically driven rotating mechanisms.

The above and other objects, features and advan tages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made-to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view through a spinning apparatus according to the present invention having a lateral tangentialfiber-feed inlet located between the blocking plug and the air inlet, the yarn being lead axially through a passage in the blocking plug;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1;

' FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B--B of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing a modification of the device of FIG. 1 wherein the fiberfeed inlet opens axially into the planar vortex space of the chamber and the yarn is lead axially therefrom through the plug;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a modification in which the fiber is fed generally axially into the stationary vortex space through a passage in the plug and the yarn is lead axially from the vortex space in the direction of flow of the air;

FIG. 6 is an axial cross-sectional view through a modified spinning apparatus in which the fibers are fed laterally into the vortex space and a core thread is likewise introduced into the latter so that the ribers are twisted onto the core thread, the yarn being lead axially from the chamber through the plug;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to the views of'FIGS. l, 4, 5 and 6 but illustrating another embodiment in which the fibers are distributed to the planar vortex by an axial fiber inlet, the yarn being lead axially out of the system through the plug;

FIG. 8 is an axial cross-sectional view representing a modification of the system of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a system in which both the' generally axial fiber inlet and the yarn outlet are formed in the plug.

In all of the embodiments described below, the fiber is fed through an inlet, either axially or laterally, into a chamber formed between a plug 2 and an array of lateral tangential inlets 6 for the air. A suction source is connected at 5 on the opposite side of the array of inlets 6 while a helical passage3 is formed in the plug to admit air to the space between the plug 2 and the set of air inlets. As a result, a vortex is established in a fixed plane in the region between the plug and the air inlet. This vortex has no axial component since air admitted through the helical passage 3 balances any air tending to move upwardly from the inlet 6. However, the tangential arrangement of the inlets 6 imparts a generally circulatory movement to all the air within the cylinder and hence to the air within the chamber. Fiber introduced into this chamber is caused to whirl in the aforementioned stationary vortex plane (as represented at 9) and to twist into a yarn which can be withdrawn from the vortex as will be described in greater detail below. The object of the invention is presented in the enclosed drawings showing the spinning technique according to the invention.

The method of manufacturing yarn according to the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is the followmg.

Feed fiber 8 is introduced by means of an airstream into a stationary elongated cylindrical spinning chamber 1. Inside the chamber 1 the fiber 8 is induced into whirling motion round the chamber axis by the combined action of tangential air inlets 6, separator 2 and tangential fiber feeding passage 7. Whirling motion of air and fibre begins upon activation of a vacuum source (not shown in the drawing), at a position where the axial component of the whirling'airstream is equal substantially to zero i.e., above the inlets 6 and below the plug or separator 2. The vacuum source communicates with the chamber 1 through a suction conduit 5. In this way a ring 9 of whirling fibers is formed to which fibers are attracted from the feeding passage 7. In order to prime the spinning process an input yarn is introduced into the spinning chamber through a passage 4. The input yarn upon contacting the whirling fiber ring 9 adopts its whirling motion and undergoes twisting as a result of which fibers from the ring 9 adhere to the end of the input yarn and the yarn manufacturing process is commenced. Thus primed, the process runs continuously.

The produced yarn is delivered from the spinning chamber through the passage 4 and is taken up by known take-up machinery not shown in the drawing. In the described method, fiber 8 is fed into the spinning chamber 1 and to the whirling fiber ring 9 through the tangential passage 7.

A variation of the method of manufacturing yarn on the device is shown in FIG. 4 and it concerns the manner of feeding fiber into the spinningchamber.

In this variation, the fiber 8 is fed through the axial passage 7' into the spinning chamber uniformly to the whole circumference of the whirling fiber ring 9. All other elements of the process, as priming and yarn take-out, remain the same as with lateral tangential feeding.

The internal circumferential feeding of the whirling ring 9 with fiber give a more uniform and parallel positioning of fibers in the whirling ring and, consequently, better parallelization of fibers in the yarn. It also increases the yarns strength by approximately 70 percent, prevents its excessive elongation and ensures a higher count regularity.

Another variation of the method is shown in FIG. 5. This variety consists in that the direction in which fiber 8 is fed into the spinning chamber and the direction in which the produced yarn 10 is delivered correspond with the direction in which air is extracted from the spinning chamber 1. In this embodiment fiber 8 is introduced into the spinning chamber 1 through the feeding passage 7" provided in the separator 2, and the produced yarn is delivered through the axial withdrawal passage 4 disposed in the chamber 1 in perpendicular to the cross section of the chamber 1.

Another modification of the whirling fiber ring method is shown in FIG. 6. In this variation, which is suitable for the manufacture of core yarns, yarn or untwisted multifilament I2 is introduced under predetermined tension into the chamber 1 through a laterial aperture 11. Upon entering the chamber, the yarn or multifilament encounters the ring 9 of the staple fibers 8 which are fed into the chamber 1 through the passage 7 and whirl round the chamber axis as previously described, The yarn or multifilament 12 on contacting the whirling ring 9 adopts whirling motion and collects by accretion fiber 8 from the ring 9.

In the taking out of the yarn or multifilament 12 through a passage 4 located along the axis of the fiber ring 9 the accreted braid of staple fibers 8 becomes, in the distance between the ring and the outlet of the passage 4, firmly and permanently fixed to the core constituted by the yarn or multifilament l2 owing to the twist resulting from the whirling of the fiber ring 9 and axial withdrawal motion of the produced yarn 10. Thus manufactured core yarn has a highly regular braid permanently fixed to the core.

The manufacture of yarn from natural and chemical (synthetic) fibers according to the invented method and its varieties is possible at a high speed and over wide range of count and twist. These parameters are regulable by proper adjustment of the cross sections of the air guides 6 and helical passages 3 in the separator 2 and of the rates of air flow, fiber feed and yarn withdrawal.

A variation of the device for manufacturing yarn from natural and chemical fibers is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in longitudinal cross section. In FIG. 7 the spinning chamber is closed from above with a longitudinal separating air guide 2 whereas in FIG. 8 the same is closed with a disk 2a without air guides.

In this modification the passage 7 for feeding fiber 8 to the whirling ring 9 is situated in the spinning chamber optimally concentrically in a plane perpendicular to the cross section plane of the chamber 1. The upper outlet of this passage is situated between the plane, which bisects the air guides 6, and the separator 2, the latter being either a longitudinal air guide, equipped with freely positioned air passages 3, or a closing disk 20.

In the described embodiment the chamber 1 is closed from above either with said longitudinal air guide with air passages 3 or with disk 2a equipped with only one concentrically positioned passage 4 for taking out produced yarn l0.

Yarn obtained on this variety of the spinning device has superior quality and strength parameters.

FIG. 9 shows a variety of the device, in which the passage 7 for feeding fiber 8 into the chamber and the passage 4 for taking out the produced yarn 10 are both situated in the separator 2, the passage 4 being positioned concentrically to the separator.

What we claim is:

1. A method of producing yarn comprising the steps of:

a. creating a planar air vortex with no axial component in a cylindrical chamber between a closure member and a plurality of tangential air inlets by admitting air into said inlets and past said member while withdrawing air under suction at a location remote from said chamber to the side of said inlets opposite that at which said chamber is formed;

b. introducing fibers into said vortex at a location between said inlets and said member whereby said fibers whirl about centrifugally in a ring in the plane of said vortex; and

c. withdrawing a yarn from said vortex whereby fibers from said ring intertwine with one another to elongate said yarn as the same is withdrawn.

'2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said yarn is withdrawn generally axially from said chamber.

3. The method defined in claim 2 wherein said fibers are fed to said chamber laterally and generally tangentially.

4. The method defined in claim 2 wherein said fibers are fed to said chamber axially.

5. The method defined in claim 4 wherein said fibers are fed to said chamber axially through said member.

6.. The method defined in claim 4 wherein said fibers are fed to said chamber axially through a tube reaching into said chamber beyond said inlets at a side of said chamber opposite said member.

"7. An apparatus for producing yarn comprising a cylindrical housing, an array of air inlets opening into said housing at an intermediate location along the length thereof for directing tangential streams of air into said housingya closure member received in said housing and spaced from said location to one side of said air inlets while being formed with means admitting air to said housing whereby the air admitted by said member and said air inlets establishes a planar vortex without an axial component of movement in a chamber defined between said member and said location; a suction source connected to said housing to the opposite side of said inlets; means for introducing fiber to said chamber between said location and .said member'whereby said fiber forms a whirling ring in the plane of said vortex; and means for withdrawing a yarn from said vortex whereby fiber of said ring continuously intertwine with one another and said yarn to extend the latter.

8; The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said member is a plug movably received in said housing.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said plug is formed alo'ng its periphery with a helical channel admitting air to said vortex.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein the means for withdrawing said yarn from said vortex includes a passage formed in said plug.

11. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said means for withdrawing yarn from said vortex includes a tube extending into said chamber beyond said location from said other side.

12. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said means for introducing fiber to said chamber includes a passage formed in said plug and communicating with said chamber.

13. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said means for introducing fiber to said chamber includes a passage formed in said housing between said location and said plug and opening tangentially into said chamber.

14. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said means for introducing fiber into said chamber includes a tube extending into said chamber through said housing beyond said location from said other side. 

1. A method of producing yarn comprising the steps of: a. creating a planar air vortex with no axial component in a cylindrical chamber between a closure member and a plurality of tangential air inlets by admitting air into said inlets and past said member while withdrawing air under suction at a location remote from said chamber to the side of said inlets opposite that at which said chamber is formed; b. introducing fibers into said vortex at a location between said inlets and said member whereby said fibers whirl about centrifugally in a ring in the plane of said vortex; and c. withdrawing a yarn from said vortex whereby fibers from said ring intertwine with one another to elongate said yarn as the same is withdrawn.
 2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said yarn is withdrawn generally axially from said chamber.
 3. The method defined in claim 2 wherein said fibers are fed to said chamber laterally and generally tangentially.
 4. The method defined in claim 2 wherein said fibers are fed to said chamber axially.
 5. The method defined in claim 4 wherein said fibers are fed to said chamber axially through said member.
 6. The method defined in claim 4 wherein said fibers are fed to said chamber axially through a tube reaching into said chamber beyond said inlets at a side of said chamber opposite said member.
 7. An apparatus for producing yarn comprising a cylindrical housing; an array of air inlets opening into said housing at an intermediate location along the length thereof for directing tangential streams of air into said housing; a closure member received in said housing and spaced from said location to one side of said air inlets while being formed with means admitting air to said housing whereby the air admitted by said member and said air inlets establishes a planar vortex without an axial component of movement in a chamber defined between said member and said location; a suction source connected to said housing to the opposite side of said inlets; means for introducing fiber to said chamber between said location and said member whereby said fiber forms a whirling ring in the plane of said vortex; and means for withdrawing a yarn from said vortex whereby fiber of said ring continuously intertwine with one another and said yarn to extend the latter.
 8. The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said member is a plug movably received in said housing.
 9. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said plug is formed along its periphery with a helical channel admitting air to said vortex.
 10. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein the means for withdrawing said yarn from said vortex includes a passage formed in said plug.
 11. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said means for withdrawing yarn from said vortex includes a tube extending into said chamber beyond said location from said other side.
 12. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said means for introducing fiber to said chamber includes a passage formed in said plug and communicating with said chamber.
 13. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said means for introducing fiber to said chamber includes a passage formed in said housing between said location and said plug and opening tangentially into said chamber.
 14. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said means for introducing fiber into said chamber includes a tube extending into said chamber through said housing beyond said location from said other side. 